Improvement in show-cases



T. L. BARTLETT & w. I. BICKWFORID. SHOW-CASE.

No.19Z,855.

Paten ted J u1y 10,1877.

NIPErERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGToM-p CZ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIoE.

FRANK L. BARTLETT AND WILLIS I. BIOKFORD, OF PORTLAND, MAINE. I

IMPROVEMENT IN SHOW-CASES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 192,855, dated July 10, 1877 application filed April 28, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK L. BARTLETT and WILLIS I. BICKFORD, of Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Show-Gases for Cigars; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, that will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a transverse section of an improved case; Fig. 2, a detail showing the spring and bolt; and Fig. 3 is a transverse section of a case, showing another device for efi'ecting the same purpose as that shown in Fig. 1.'

It is the purpose of our invention to provide a case for the exhibition and sale of cigars which shall not be subject to the disadvantages of the cases now in use. This we practically accomplish by a self-locking and automatically-opening case. Such a case may be constructed by the use of various mechanical means. Two methods of accomplishing the result are illustrated in the drawing. These two methods of construction We prefer.

In Fig. 1, A A show the back and bottom of a case; A A, portions of the sash for the reception of the glass. The bottom should be slightly inclined toward the front of the counter upon which the case is placed, in order that the contents may be better presented to the view of the purchaser. B represents a part of the cover,.which is hinged at the back; At the front of the lid or cover is placed the spring-bolt c, which is so situated as to enter a catch in the inner side of the sash of the case. To this bolt is attached the cord or wire F, which is carried to the back of thelid, so that the bolt may be drawn by one standing behind the counter. To the back of the. case is attached an elliptical spring, D, which is slotted at its upper end, and connected with the lid by the pin 1 passing through the slot. (See Fig. 2.)

The spring D may be supplemented at its lower end by a coil or watch spring, if increased force is required.

In Fig. 3, J represents an arm or rod, pivoted to the central sash of the case, passing through the bottom of the case, and having notch L. The weightR is suspended by the cord or chain s, which, passing over the pulley, is made fast to the lower end'of the arm. In front of the arm is fixed to the bottom of the case the catch H, which is so placed as to enter the notch L when the case is closed. Another cord, T, may be connected with the arm, and carried to the back of the case. A second notch may, if desired, be made in the arm below the notch L, to prevent the lid from rising higher than required.

The operation of cases thus constructed' will be readily perceived. In using the case just described, when a purchaser approaches the counter, the dealer, standing behind the counter, pulls the cord or wire F, which withdraws the bolt and allows the spring to raise the lid. After a selection has been made, the lid is pushed down, and is securely locked by the bolt 0. The operation of the case shown in Fig. 3 is practically the same. A pull upon the cord T withdraws the notch from contact with the catch H, when the weight carries the arm up and raises the lid. Upon pushing down the lid, the notch passes under the catch, and the case is again locked.

It will be seenthat the inconveniences and disadvantages attending the use of the kinds of cases heretofore in use are obviated in cases constructed as described. It is unnecessary for the salesman to remove the cigars from the case and place them on the counter-a necessity with the old-form case, which caused great i jury to the cigars from frequent handling. N 0 looking or unlocking of the case is required, while the number of cigars olfered to the purchaser for selection is only limited by the size of the case. Not among the least of its advantages is the saving'of time effected.

What we claim as ourinvention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

The combination, in a show-case, of the lid B, bolt 0 and catch, cord F, and slotted spring D, or its equivalent, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7 In testimony that we claim the foregoing we have hereunto set our hands this 24th day of April, 1877.

FRANK L. BARTLETT. WILLIS I. BIOKFOR D.

Witnesses MANASSEH SMITH, G. E. BIRD. 

